Betsy Emerson has been named the Head Coach of Women's Cross Country and Distance Track & Field at Macalester College. Emerson, a former head coach at Luther College (Ia.), replaces Jordan Cushing, who resigned her position this spring.

Emerson was head women's cross country and women's track & field coach at Luther for 17 years, from 1989-2005, before leaving the coaching profession to pursue other interests. Most recently, she has worked as an instructor for MultiCare Health Systems in Tacoma, Wash.

While at Luther between 1989 and 2005, she led very successful programs, receiving Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) Coach of the Year honors six times in cross country and three times in track and field. Emerson led the Norse to a third place NCAA Division III finish in cross country in 2000 and a fourth place national finish in outdoor track and field in 1997.

“I am very excited to be the women's cross country and assistant track coach at Macalester. I consider it a great privilege and honor to be given this opportunity to work at such an outstanding college,” said Emerson.

“ I have always admired and respected Macalester College and feel that my coaching philosophy closely aligns with the mission and philosophy of the college. I look forward to the opportunity to work with the intelligent and motivated women who choose to run at Macalester and am excited to have the opportunity to coach in the very competitive MIAC. I am grateful to (Director of Athletics) Kim Chandler and the entire Macalester athletic department for the chance to join their team and I will work hard to carry on the great tradition of distance running at Macalester College.”

Emerson coached two NCAA Division III cross country individual champions, six All-Americans and won six IIAC titles. Her Luther track and field athletes won 45 conference championships and 45 All-America certificates.

“Betsy Emerson is a terrific addition to the Macalester community and to our women's cross country and track and field programs,” said Macalester Athletic Director Kim Chandler. “She is recognized as one of the finest women's coaches in the region and nation, and it is great to see her return to coaching with such passion and enthusiasm to lead the Macalester program. She is a great leader who commits herself fully to coaching, teaching, and mentoring the young women who compete in her program and I feel confident that she will bring a vibrant and successful environment to each of our programs.”

Coach Emerson graduated Cum Laude from Mary College in Bismarck, N.D. in 1986 and earned an M.S. in Education in 1988 from North Dakota State University. She began coaching and teaching at Luther College in 1989.

She will assume her duties at Macalester July 1.